8,000 workers lose jobs under stricter lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — Around 8,000 workers lost their jobs shortly after Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal were again placed under enhanced community quarantine on March 29.

Reports received by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) as of March 31 showed 118,210 workers were retrenched or were let go because their employers have permanently closed down their business.

At the time the lockdown was implemented in Metro Manila and the four surrounding provinces, there were nearly 111,000 workers who have lost their jobs either due to retrenchment or permanent business closure.

“Between that time and March 31, around 8,000 workers were added to those displaced in terms of retrenchment and permanent closure,” Dominique Tutay, assistant secretary of the Dole, said at an online briefing on Monday.

The labor official said the number of displaced workers would likely increase since the lockdown has been extended for another week until April 11.

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